How did Alfred Stieglitz photograph city streets at the beginning of the 20th century?

At the beginning of the 20th century, Alfred Stieglitz captured images of city streets in New York City and Paris primarily during periods of inclement weather. Rather than identifying as a "street photographer," Stieglitz utilized these urban environments to explore the atmospheric effects created by challenging weather conditions.1

While his early career was associated with the Photo-Secession movement—which often favored manipulated, painterly printing processes—Stieglitz eventually shifted his focus toward "straight" photography. This approach emphasized the unique, inherent qualities of the medium, such as sharp focus and tonal range, rather than attempting to mimic the appearance of paintings or etchings. His work during this era helped establish photography as a distinct and valuable fine art form.231